Saddle support



P. G. CIANCIO SADDLE SUPPORT Nov. 4, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet.

Filed Feb. 12, 1968 FIG! INVENTOR.

I PETER G. CIANCIO BY MM JWm/CM ATTORNEYS.

P. G. CIANCIO SADDLE SUPPORT Nov. 4, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1968 20 l'h. QT:

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IZ a: 22 28 IB 43 FIG? United States Patent 3,476,255 SADDLE SUPPORT Peter G. Ciancio, American Wrought Iron & Bronze, RR. 4, Box 159, Valparaiso, Ind. 46383 Filed Feb. 12, 1968, Ser. No. 704,811

Int. Cl. A47f 7/00, /08, 5/10 U.S. Cl. 211-13 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible portable saddle support including a main support "bar, arms pivoted to the bar, and rocker support elements on the free end of the arms. Also, a supporting bracket for use in combination with the support, the bracket having bar connecting surfaces for releasable connection with portions of the bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to a portable saddle support and more particularly to a saddle support which may be collapsed during periods of nonuse and which may be easily and quickly connected to or disconnected from a supporting bracket.

Description of the prior art The known prior art relating to removable or collapsible saddle supports is typified by the structures shown in the US. Letters Patent issued to Mills, No. 3,305,101; Hershberger, No. 3,233,745; and Botolfsen, No. 2,760,- 746. Each of these patents show saddle supports which are intended to either be removable or collapsible relative to a wall or similar supporting surface. The saddle supports shown in the Mills and Botolfsen patents may be removed from a supporting wall, but the overall configuration remains the same. Likewise, the Hershberger saddle rack may be collapsed on its wall mounting, but the configuration remains the same, and it may not be easily removed from a wall. None of these structures may be folded or otherwise collapsed to provide a compact, easily transportable or storable support which may be easily carried about by a horseman, even during riding, if desired. In addition, all provide a rigid saddle supporting surface which is not adjustable for different sizes or types of saddles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of a collapsible saddle support which may be easily connected to and disconnected from a companion bracket on a supporting surface. The support is provided with selfadjusting saddle engaging elements for automatically adapting the support for use with different sizes and types of saddles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing the saddle sup-port of this invention mounted on a supporting stand with one of the saddle supporting arms shown in a retracted position closely adjacent the body of the support, and the other saddle supporting arm shown in a spread supporting position for receiving a saddle;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view taken generally along the line 22 of FIGURE 1 showing one of the saddle supporting arms in the spread supporting position and showing, in phantom outline, a saddle being supported thereon;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary view partially broken away in section showing the saddle support mounted on end in an upright fashion on the supporting structure shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view showing the saddle support being mounted in a mounting bracket attached to a wall or similar supporting surface;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view showing an alternate means of mounting the saddle support to a bracket or the like;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the saddle support of this invention;

FIGURE 7 is a section view taken generally along the line 7-7 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a modified form of the saddle support of this invention;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially broken away in section, of a modified form of the saddle support and modified mounting bracket of this invention showing the saddle support mounted in an operative position for use in supporting the saddle; and

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 showing the saddle support mounted in a storage, or inoperative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The saddle support 10 of this invention is intended for use in supporting a saddle 11 (shown in phantom outline in FIGURE 2). The saddle support 10 includes an elongate main bar 12 of rigid metal, such as channel iron or the like. Main support bar 12 is provided with a pair of movable arms 14 which are preferably the same width as main bar 12 and are generally box-like, rigid metallic .members having a top 14a, sides 14b and and a bottom 14d. The movable arms 14 are pivoted to the main support bar 12 by suitable means for moving the arms between the collapsed position overlying the main bar, as seen in FIGURES 3, 5 and 7; and a supporting position wherein the movable arm is situated generally transversely of the main support bar, as seen with the right most movable arm in FIGURE 1 and as also seen in FIGURE 2. In the illustrated embodiment, this pivotal mounting is provided by forming aligned openings 16a and 16b in the top 1 4a and bottom 14b of each bar 14, respectively, and an opening 18 in the main support 'bar 12 with a pin-like fastener, such as a bolt 20, extending through the openings 16a, 16b and 18. The bolt is threaded in a nut 22 secured to the underside of main bar 12 and a washer 24 is interposed between bolt 22, and wing nut 28 is threaded on the end of bolt 20. It is to be understood that any suitable means may be provided for connecting the arms 14 so that they can be held at an overlying position or retracted position and moved thereto to a spread supporting position when desired. It is to be further understood that several openings 18 may be provided along the length of the main support bar 12 for mounting the .movable arms 14 at selected points therealong depending upon the size or contour of saddle which is to be supported.

The opposite ends 30a and 30b of each movable arm 14 are beveled so that the bottom 14d is longer than the top 14a and the ends of the side walls 14b and 140 are inclined therebetween, serving as a stop means to be explained later. Movable saddle engaging elements or pivoted rockers 32 are pivoted to each movable arm 14 adjacent the opposite ends 30a and 30b thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, rockers 32 are generally U-shaped in section, having a slightly curved saddle engaging surface 34 and two downwardly projecting ears 36a and 36b which straddle the opposite sides 14b and 140 of each bar 14. Pin 36 extends through openings 38a and 38b in ears 36a and 36b, respectively, and through openings 40a and 40b in side walls 14b and 140 of bar 14 to pivotally mount rockers 32 with respect to bar 14. The rockers 32 are freely pivotal between a collapsed position overlying the :arm 14, wherein the top 14a of the bar is adjacent the underside of surface 34 of the rocker, and a maximum spread supporting position wherein the ends a or 30b of the bar 14 engage the underside of the surface 34 of the rockers. At any point between thes positions, the rockers may engage the underside of the saddle 11 and support the same.

Preferably, one end 41 of main support bar 12 protrudes slightly beyond the adjacent bar 14 when the bar is in the retracted position to provide a stud-like mounting surface. In addition, other such surfaces may depend from the underside of main support bar 12. For example, a stud 42 may be provided extending downwardly from the underside of main support bar 12 near the end 41. Also, socketlike mounting portion 43 may be provided on the opposite end of bar 12 or a centrally depending socket 44 may depend from the medial area of the underside of main support bar 12. The aforementioned socket or stud-like portions are intended to matingly engage related socket or stud-like areas of mounting means for supporting the main bar 12 in a storage or supporting position.

It is intended that when the saddle support 10 of this invention is in use performing a supporting function, the support 10 could be connected to a suitable means for holding the same in a relatively elevated position. For example, the saddle support could be mounted on a collapsed quadrapod or tripod generally indicated having a plurality of legs 52, each pivoted at 52:22 to ears 53. An upstanding stud 54 projects upwardly from the cars 53 and is generally of a size and shape to matingly engage with the sockets 43 or 44 on the underside of the main support bar 12. Thus, the saddle support 10 could be mounted in a saddle supporting position with the main bar positioned generally horizontally as shown in FIG- URE 1 by means of the socket and stud engagement of the socket 44 of bar 12 and stud 54 of the supporting quadrapod 50. If desired, the socket 43 could be positioned on the stud 54 to mount the main support 12 uprightly in a storage position.

It is also possible that the saddle support 10 of this invention could be mounted on a wall or similar upright support surface by being connected to a bracket 58. Bracket 58 includes a base plate 60 which may be mounted by suitable fastening means 62 to a wall or horizontal supporting surface 63. A box-like column 64 extends outwardly from the base plate 60 and is provided with a medial web 65 dividing the column 64 into two socket portions 66 and 67. Mounted on the end of box-like column 58 is a multiple socket structure 68 which comprises an upright member of tubular metal stock 70 and a pair of horizontally outwardly extending members of tubular metal 72 and 74. The bar may be supported in a generally horizontal storage position by inserting the end 41 thereof into one of the sockets 72 or 74 with the stud 42 and socket 44 facing inwardly toward wall 63. Alternatively, the bar may be supported in a saddle supporting position cantilevered outwardly from the bracket 58, and therefore generally transversely to a wall or supporting surface 63, by inserting the stud 42 into the tubular member 70 as illustrated in FIGURE 5.

FIGURES 8 through 10 show modified forms of the mounting bracket and saddle support of this invention. Saddle support is very similar to saddle support 10 and includes a main support bar 112, swingable arms 114, each of which has rockets 134 which are pivoted at 136 to the arms 114. While it is intended that saddle support 110 would not have the projecting stud such as 42 as on saddle support 10, it is intended that saddle support 110 would be provided with a socket-like portion 143 at one end thereof. It is further intended that a central socket portion 144 would be provided on saddle support 110 having a hollow interior 144a and, as seen in the drawings, central socket 144 may project outwardly from opposite sides of main bar 112.

The mounting bracket 158 shown in FIGURES 8 through 10 includes a generally flat base 160 which is adapted for securement to a wall surface 163 by suitable fastening means 162. A generally centrally projecting stud 164 projects outwardly from the face of base 160. In use, the saddle support may be mounted in an operative position by telescoping stud 164 in the socket 143 at one end of bar 112 so that the saddle support projects generally perpendicularly outwardly from the plane of the wall or supporting surface 163. To place the saddle support in the storage position, the stud 164 is inserted into the central socket 144, from either end thereof, such as shown in FIGURE 10, so that the saddle support is closely adjacent the wall 163 and extends uprightly generally parallel thereto. A suitable means (not shown) could be provided for holding bar 112 against unintentional withdrawal from bracket 158. For example, a pin like fastener could be inserted through openings in socket 143 and stud 164.

The saddle support of this invention may be easily stored in compact areas by swinging the saddle support arms to the retracted position. A variety of means for mounting the saddle support are provided with the use of either an upright supporting structure, such as the illustrated quadrapod, or the described wall bracket. When not in use, the saddle support may be connected to the wall bracket in such a fashion as to lie closely adjacent to the wall. The collapsible nature of the saddle support makes it capable of being easily carried about. Thus, several supporting brackets may be provided in different locations, and the user may take the saddle support with him and, with the aid of the brackets, be provided with a means for supporting the saddle in many different locations.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A portable saddle support for supporting a riding saddle, comprising: a body having means adjacent one end thereof for connection to a receiving means mounted on a wall-like surface; saddle support members connected to said body for movement between a retracted position closely adjacent the body, and a spread supporting position spaced outwardly from the body, said saddle support members having saddle supporting surfaces generally of a size and shape to engage portions of a saddle, said surfaces being movable with the members to said spread supporting position, whereby the support may be conditioned for use by moving the support members to the spread supporting position and conditioned for storage or portability by moving the support members to said retracted position.

2. The saddle support of claim 1 wherein saddle supporting surfaces are movably mounted on the saddle support members to adjust the saddle support for receiving saddles of dilferent sizes and types.

3. The saddle support of claim 1 wherein said connection means adjacent one end of the body has a stud-like projection for mounting the body in a generally mating receptacle on a wall-like surface.

4. The saddle support of claim 1 wherein support members are connected to the body by a means for locking the support members in the spread and retracted positions.

5. The saddle support of claim 4 wherein means are provided on the body for connecting the support members at different points on the body to adjust the support for use with saddles of different sizes and types.

6. The saddle support of claim 1 wherein the support members are arms medially pivoted to the body and the supporting surfaces are rocker-like elements pivoted to opposite ends of the arms.

7. The saddle support of claim 6 wherein the body is generally elongate and said connection means includes a projecting end forming a stud-like surface for reception in a receptacle on a wall-like surface.

8. The saddle support of claim 7 wherein the body has a second connection means which includes stud-like surface which projects outwardly from one side of the body generally transverse to the said projecting end to provide a means for mounting the support to a socket-like connection in one direction for use and another direction for storage.

9. The saddle support of claim 1 wherein said connection means adjacent one end of the body has a socketlike member for mounting the body to a stud-like mounting member on a wall surface.

10. The saddle support of claim 9 wherein the medial portion of the body has transversely extending socket member.

11. In combination with the saddle support of claim 10, a receiving means comprising a mounting bracket having a base member adapted for securement to a wall-like surface and an outwardly projecting stud of a size to be received in the socket members of the saddle support.

12. A saddle support, comprising: a bar-like body having an upper and lower face; a pair of arms pivoted at spaced points to the upper face of the body for movement between a retracted position overlying the body and an extended position generally transversely of the body; and saddle engaging members movably mounted near the ends of the arms for adjustably engaging and supporting different sizes and types of saddles.

13. The saddle support of claim 12 wherein the saddle engaging members are pivoted to the arms to rock relative to the arms.

14. The saddle support of claim 12 wherein the saddle engaging members generally overlie the arms, movement 6 of the engaging members being limited by contact with the top of the arms and the ends thereof.

15. The saddle support of claim 12 including a connecting portion projecting from the lower face of the body near one end thereof.

16. In combination with the saddle support of claim 15, a mounting bracket therefor, comprising: a base plate for aifixation to a wall-like supporting surface; a multiple socketed member mounted on said base plate and spaced outwardly therefrom, said socketed member having upright and laterally extending sockets for receiving portions of the saddle support, whereby the saddle support may be mounted in a storage position by extending the support into a laterally extending socket and the saddle support may be mounted in a supporting position by inserting the connecting portion thereof into the uprightly extending socket.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the multiple socketed member is supported outwardly from the base plate by a tubular column having a socket therein, the column socket being generally of a size and shape to embrace the bar-like body of the saddle support.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,587,676 6/1926 Patterson 211l04 X 2,189,626 2/1940 Casserly 21196 2,740,532 4/1956 Kleinsmith 211104 2,808,942 10/1957 Harrison et al. 211-104 X 2,952,366 9/1960 Botten 211-104 3,173,643 3/1965 Rath 248224 DAVID H. BROWN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

